The Cure

The Cure is a very different journey than Guy Manning's previous album Tall Stories for Small Children. Here, songs are extensively developed and arranged in suites. A concept album revolving around sensory depravation, The Cure takes the listener on a music trip from the Beatles and Cat Stevens to Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator. The occasional guest guitarist for Parallel or 90 Degrees gets closer to the latter's sound, and the presence of leader (and longtime friend) Andy Tillison-Diskdrive as co-keyboardist and co-producer is no stranger to it. Manning is a strong songwriter and he proves it on "Whispers in the Wind," an elegant song verging on pop with its instantly memorable melody. His music doesn't have the weighty gloom of Parallel or 90 Degrees and therefore is easier to digest. More substantial than his previous effort, The Cure's main flaw resides in the drum programming -- not how it is executed, but the decision of using programmed rhythm tracks. Otherwise, it makes a fine addition to any neo-prog fan. ~ Francois Couture